AUSTRALIAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

Comment

It was a much more stable week for wool prices following the uncertainty of the last sale. There was a little movement of price between centres as prices aligned. The encouraging point was more widespread activity from those buyers representing Chinese interests. This lifted the general market overall, including the more average types. It was more noticeable as a feeling of ‘market confidence’ rather than measured in price indicators. The best performing sector was the fine merino types. The 17.0 to 18.5-micron range were those most keenly sought after even in a disappointing selection consisting of longer staple and lower yielding wool types. There are only selected lots of quality fine fleece wool available.

AWEX Eastern Indicator compared with 20/03/2020

Eastern Indicator

Close: 1442

Change in % +0.28

If you want to learn more about AWEX indicators, visit the official website http://www.awex.com.au

Authentico Index Values

15 Micron

Close: 2446

Change in %: -0.57

16 Micron

Close: 2220

Change in %: +0.91

17 Micron

Close: 2018

Change in %: -0.09

18 Micron

Close: 1884

Change in %: -0.32

19 Micron

Close: 1787

Change in %: -1.33

Authentico Indicator

Close: 2038

Change in %: -0.09

Forecast

Wool and livestock auctions remain exempt from the federal government ban on auction houses and sales were allowed to continue. However, with further restrictions expected from state and territory governments in coming days, we could face more roadblocks to a continuing trade of wool. The situation changes daily. The industry is examining all possible alternatives to the open cry auction to allow the exchange of ownership to continue without the necessity to congregate in the auction room. Buyers must maintain access to show floors to inspect samples for this to happen. The sale rooms have been altered to follow ‘social distancing’ rules put in place and regular break intervals have been scheduled along with government guidelines. Regardless of this, our position remains that the health and well-being of our staff, friends and family is the priority and we will act accordingly as we see necessary. Sales have been rescheduled for a Tuesday / Wednesday format allowing Thursday as a ‘contingency’ day should any particular auction be postponed. At the time of writing, Melbourne has been scheduled for a large 2-day sale. Buyers are concerned with the necessary face to face time in the auction room that will result and potentially it could be re-configured into a 3-day format concluding on Thursday.

Auction offering – current week

Selling Centres for week 39

Market          Sale          Offered             Sold       Passed In

North                      S 39                     8350                         7439                10.9%

South                     M 39                    26495                       22866              13.7%

West                       F 39                      8089                         6485               19.8%

Auction offering – next week

Market          Sale          Sale days          Volume

North                      S 40                    T/W                             10055

South                     M 40                    T/W*                           27370

West                       F 40                     T/W                              8385

*under review

If you want to see the complete Wool Sales Roster click here.